“The Department’s policy is based on the premise that ‘[i]t is of the utmost importance to enforce the law fairly and consistently.’ We agree. The problem is that, in many cases, current law requires nonviolent first-time offenders to receive longer sentences than violent criminals. Sentences of this kind not only ‘undermine respect for our legal system,’ but ruin families and have a corrosive effect on communities.”

The letter asks five specific questions about the Department’s policy change and requests answers to those questions within 30 days.

In January, Booker joined Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) in testifying against Session’s nomination to be Attorney General, becoming the first sitting Senator to testify against another Senator during a confirmation hearing.